One summer changed Anthony Bourdain’s life forever. Matt Johnson’s Tony focuses specifically on a brief chapter in the life of one of the most iconic figures in the culinary world. Bourdain’s talent extended far beyond the kitchen, making a lasting impact on popular culture through his books and television shows. His tragic death only helped turn him into a myth: a man who used food as a gateway to explore cultures and offered the world an opportunity to connect with different civilizations.

The starting point for Tony is a very small section of Anthony Bourdain’s book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. Published in 2000, the book combines Bourdain’s personal memoirs with his professional experiences in the restaurant industry. This biographical drama intersects with a fictionalized story set primarily during a summer Bourdain spent in Provincetown, Massachusetts. From there, the film delivers a familiar coming-of-age story: a directionless young man who finds a mentor in an unexpected figure.

Dominic Sessa steps into the shoes of the 19-year-old who is struggling to find his place in life. Sessa delivers an intense performance, making it easy to connect with his character and his dilemmas. Tony takes us on a journey of discovery. Through the eyes of this awkward teenager, we learn a few things about life while catching glimpses of the man the world would eventually come to know. Tony is not looking to deliver an exact biographical portrait. Instead, it leans toward a fictionalized drama with a very solid narrative structure. The film relies on its lead performance and a strong supporting cast, led by an understated but thoroughly convincing Antonio Banderas.

Of course, a film about Bourdain wouldn’t be complete without food. Tony does an excellent job of weaving the culinary world into its central character’s life in a subtle and natural way. Cooking and food are essential elements of the story, but they never take the spotlight away from Dominic Sessa’s character drama. Matt Johnson’s direction is particularly effective, making extensive use of close-ups and allowing the characters’ body language to communicate what their dialogue leaves unsaid. Michael Bauman’s cinematography is exquisite, making us feel every heartbeat of this young Anthony.

Tony is neither the definitive film about Anthony Bourdain nor does it pretend to be. It is a small, well-told story about one summer, a young man who doesn’t know what to do with his life, and a craft that begins to give it meaning. Those expecting to encounter the myth may find the film somewhat incomplete, but anyone willing to embrace the story will discover a solid, well-acted film, crafted with great care. It is an intimate glimpse into the years before Bourdain became the Anthony Bourdain the world would come to know, and that is precisely what makes it worthwhile.